Teams, Culture & You: The Psychology Behind Growth

"Command and control only works when someone's gonna die"   Lee Caraher is known for helping leaders say what they actually mean- especially when the stakes are high -and for building teams that work hard, laugh a lot, and don’t hide behind jargon. In this episode she shares her journeyfrom medieval history to successful entrepreneurship, exploring leadership, communication, and adap...

In this conversation, Josephine Palermo and Jag Jassel explore the journey of transitioning from traditional corporate roles to fractional work models. Jag shares his personal experiences, the challenges of navigating uncertainty, and the benefits of adopting a fractional approach for both individuals and organizations. They discuss the impact of AI and automation on the workforce, the importance...

 “People feel like they're not seen.”  Josephine Palermo talks to Shelley Doyle about her academic journey and research on social connection and well-being in the workplace. They discuss the importance of social health, the impact of remote work on relationships, and the findings from Shelley's thesis, which explores the dynamics of social connection among leaders in a corporate setting. T...

Josephine Palermo speaks with Jordan Peace, co-founder and CEO of Fringe, about the innovative employee experience platform that aims to enhance workplace benefits. They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of mental health, and Jordan's upcoming book, 'Stop,' which encourages readers to take intentional breaks in a fast-paced world. Jordan also shares his persona...

In this insightful podcast episode, Dr. Josephine Palermo and Angelique Zammit explore the evolving role of HR professionals in modern organizations. They discuss the shift from traditional HR functions to strategic business partners, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, leadership influence, andthe integration of AI in workforce planning. The conversation highlights the challenges and oppo...

"We need a new hamster wheel for 2026."   Dive into '2025 Unplugged: A Candid Look at the Year That Was' for an insightful reflection on the year's pivotal moments, societal changes, and personal stories that shaped our world.  Iain and I reflect on significant global events, the impact of place and community, and the role of technology in shaping society.   We discuss person...

Miriam Castilla, is an ex-engineer and finance professional turned business mentor and course creator, committed to helping online coaches and service providers create more freedom and ease in their business.       Miriam is the founder of Magnetic Money. She is an international speaker, bestselling author and award-winning business owner. She’s also a former finance professional and certified hyp...

Karen Holliday, a former Chief Operating Officer shares her extensive experience in operational excellence and the print and mail industry. Karen discusses the importance of people in Operations, her journey overcoming barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field, and her passion for mentoring and empowering others, especially women. She emphasizes the significance of authenticity in leadership a...

  In this engaging conversation, Noel Massieshares his extensive leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of integrity, mentorship, and investing in people. He reflects on his time at UPS, the values that shaped his leadership style, and the challenges faced by newlypromoted leaders. Through anecdotes and practical advice, Noel highlights the significance of listening, establishing clear exp...

In this episode, Iain and Josephine explore the dynamic political landscapes of the United States and Australia, highlighting the stark contrasts and shared challenges they face. As the US navigates a complex political climate, Australia offers a model of stability with its strong democratic institutions. Yet, in an era where expressing our points of view is crucial, we question whether platforms...

Can your people scale as fast as your product? Spoiler: they can’t - and they’re not meant to. In this powerful episode, Josephine Palermo speaks with Nahed Khairallah, a global HR strategist who has helped rocket startups from 7-figure beginnings to 9-figure enterprises across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Nahed unpacks the uncomfortable truth: people don’t scale -systems do. And...

Katie Tamblin, author of The Lean-Agile Dilemma, began her career as an entry-level analyst and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Product Officer. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director for data and tech businesses and advises private equity firms. With over 20 years of experience, Katie helps readers recognise the unique challenges of working within "chubby corporates"...

In this engaging conversation, Josephine Palermo speaks with Dawn Mahan, PMP, about her journey into project management, the challenges faced in the field, and the importance of leadership and team dynamics. Dawn shares insights from her book, 'Projectland,' where she introduces the concept of using animal avatars to represent different roles in project management. The discussion emphasise...

Quinn Li O'Shea shares her journey from being a product manager in a male-dominated tech industry to becoming a founder of her own software company, Braid. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of mentorship, and how she navigated her career path. Quinn emphasizes the significance of networking and collaboration, the ideation process behind Braid, and her leadership style that...

Jamie Kritharas shares his unique journey from being a DJ to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the rapid growth of his business, the importance of tracking and monitoring, and the strategies he employs for recruitment and managing a remote team. Jamie emphasizes the significance of building credibility through case studies and testimonials, as well as the dynamics of working with fa...

In this conversation, Rupal Patel discusses her journey from the CIA to becoming a CEO, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's personal mission, navigating identity, and the challenges of leadership. She shares insights on burnout, the significance of self-awareness, and the process of writing her book. Rupal also explores the essence of good leadership, the concept of power, and practi...

"Time is the enemy of empathy."   In this conversation, Michael Reddington takes everything he learned about being a Forensic Interviewer and applies it to leadership and negotiation contexts. He emphasizes the need for creating conditions that encourage honesty and vulnerability while also addressing common listening mistakes.     Michael contrasts active listening with his disciplined...

"I had no idea that I had an ADHD brain."  In this episode of Culture, Teams & You, I speak to Julie Cockerill, founder of Lemon Co. on the importance of understanding neurodivergence, particularly ADHD, and its implications in the workplace. Julie shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and how it has shaped her mission to create inclusive, brain-friendly environments where e...

"Let's go back to the basics of respect and fairness."  In this episode I sit down with the incredible Pam Macalvane—bestselling author, DEI expert, and entrepreneur—to explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Pam shares insights from her upcoming book, The Skinny on Inclusion, and reflects on her journey from a young leader with a mission to serve, t...

Josephine and Donald Barclay delve into the pressing issue of disinformation, exploring its evolution, the complexities of information credibility, and the cognitive biases that affect how we process information. They discuss the importance of critical thinking, the challenges posed by wicked problems, and the role of dialogue in understanding complex issues. The conversation also touches on the s...

"You don't need a dream."   In this episode, I reflect with Dr Iain Butterworth on the year that’s been, diving into the constructs of time, the importance of relationships, and our shared pursuit of meaning in life. We explore the challenges of professional life, the value of social equity and healthcare, and the transformative power of travel.  We also take time to recap some of the standout con...

Josephine speaks with Emmy Award-winning children’s entertainment executive, author, and researcher Dr. Toper Taylor. We dive into his groundbreaking PhD research and fascinating new book, The Human Performance Intention Experiment: A Quantum Field Framework.   They discuss the implications of quantum physics on human behavior, the interconnectedness of individuals, and the results of Toper's PhD...

In this conversation today, Dr Ian Butterworth and I discuss some of our thoughts over the last two weeks which have been very polarizing on the back of the United States election results. We discuss the impact on disinformation, civic society and what we can learn from history about how we can navigate dialogue and action in a polarized world.   Chapters   00:00 The State of Western Civilization...

In this episode, I speak to Greg Nutter, best-selling author of the book P3 Selling and an expert on the selling process and how to influence the decision process of others.   We talk about the art of selling and creating great sales teams in organisations. Greg shares insights on the differences between B2B and B2C selling, the significance of understanding the buying decision process, and how to...

This conversation with guest Javier Omar Meléndez-Vega, and co-hosts Drs Iain Butterworth and Josephine Palermo, explores the intersection of decolonisation and therapy, focusing on how colonial histories impact mental health practices and organisational cultures. Javier introduces eutierria therapy, a decolonized approach that emphasises connection to earth-based identities and ancestral wisdom....